RP: YSS Miharu Kyoto: Can't Go home and can't stay...

Sora felt awkward as she sat on a bus, beside the window as she stared at the blurring of colors, places and things as it sped up to reach their destination. All the changes in the world she knew had hit her at once and the sudden absence of Serizawa at her side left her feeling empty and unsure.

She toyed with the multi-function bracelet around her wrist idly wondering if Yuriko had stayed with the Empire or if she had left with the others, but she knew that with the presence of Sumaru here that.... it was obvious that Yuriko had left for the United Outer Colonies. She wondered if she had the right to feel abandoned by her friend for making a different choice. Her hand dropped from her wrist and into her lap with a very soft thud.

Her attention wandered to the clothes she had changed into after she had been dismissed from the interview. She felt slightly confined by well-fitting fabric of the denim jeans and the soft fabric of her dark green cap sleeve blouse; it all just felt odd against her skin. She speculated that she had grown far too accustomed to the feel of her uniform and right now, she had to fight her burning desire to just strip down and be free of her discomfort.

Her foot taped impatiently against the dull, metallic floor of the bus. She didn't know where she was going, she had bought a ticket and sat down without thinking of where she wanted to be. She could see the palace in the distance from her window and she felt uncertain of her place in the world. I just want to go home...but I don't know where that is any more...

Sumaru sat there, in the seat beside her quietly and peacefully. His eyes were wide shut, the frost blue irises hidden by his eye lids as he observed the bus through his skin. The other people were somewhat in unrest and unsure how to react to the two, even in this city the sight of a fully garbed samurai and a Ketsurui princess riding in public transportation. So he tried to keep them at peace with keeping his gaze stray from them.

A young Yamataian child, sitting close to his mother watched Sumaru closely wondering just how a male neko could exist, or even a samurai one at that. He got a little too interested, the child leaned too far from the edge of his seat just as the bus was taking a rather tight turn. The kid slipped and began falling to the floor, it happened so suddenly, before the boy hit the floor he was in the arms of the samurai. Sumaru stood up and placed the shocked boy in the care of his mother, and smiled softly. He only nodded a simple bow in return to the woman's words of kindness.

Then the next stop came up, the woman and child got off and Sumaru smiled internally as he heard the adoration of the young boy, his new dreams to become a hero made Sumaru's mind flood with a rush of memories, remembering why he joined the Star Army in the first place, and how far he came.

The samurai returned to his seat beside Sora, smiling slightly and bowing slightly to her before turning forward again, once again lowering his head and eye lids. She seemed more content with her internal conversation, he could see it in her eyes, he was curious but would wait until the right time to ask her of her troubles. For now he sat as her protector, always watching always ready.

ON: Kyoto




Sora's gaze turned to Sumaru as she silently appraised him; once again uncertain of what it was she was doing here in Kyoto exactly or what she was expecting from anyone. "Y… you didn't have to tag along with me, Sumaru," she said quietly as she forced a smile. "I'm sure that there are more interesting things to be doing than seeing me ride a bus."

"I'm not here to observe you Hime, I came because you looked like you needed the company." Sumaru said kindly, his eyes remained shut for the time being.

The young Ketsurui blushed with a soft laugh, "I am a horrible actress, aren't I? But... I'm not where I am for my acting ability... I wonder sometimes what would happen if anything if I were to just... disappear. To be invisible in a sea of faces... to be able to ride a public bus without drawing furtive stares and hushed voices," she said in a near whisper, leaning slightly towards Sumaru, pushing a loose strand of crimson hair back behind her ear. "Because riding a bus with a samarui in tow is estrigious, somehow."

A smile pulled up from the corner of his lips and was forced out into a chuckle; he had to raise one of his newly three finger hands to his mouth to gain a little composure. "Acting is an important skill Hime for someone where you are now, or at least I believe so, one day when you lead these people, they will look to you for guidance, and through the hardships you will face even if you are worried about one thing or another, you will have to show these people a smile. That smile will not only reflect the stability that these people wish for, but also the kindness they will know you for, after all which other Hime do you know who would ride the bus among the people?" Sumaru asked, his frost blue eyes slowly drifted open and he offered a reassuring smile.

"I don't feel like a princess... just someone looking for some answers that'll never come. I even turned down a promotion for staying with Yamatai. I don't know if I'll ever really get the chance to live... I'm lucky, I guess. I'm not living in a guilded cage, I have the choice to go and do what I please. What good is freedom if you don't know where you can go home to at the end of the day?" Sora responded quietly again as she looked at Sumaru with a bemused smile. "But, for now, I'll be lucky to decide where it is I am going to end up when I leave this bus."

"In time, you will find your decision, and as you wait and contemplate, I'll be here to protect you from those that wish you harm, which means no matter where you wish to be, you can go, I will bring you there. If those answers you seek are out of your grasp or freedom, and then I will cut you a way there." He said quietly and then sat up straight and looked over his shoulder at the passing scenery, and his eyes traced upwards towards the palace. "I think Sora-chan makes a better princess then any of the ones that I've ever come across in history," he turned to her with that smile of his that was just so full of inspiration, "but then again look where I am, I'm a little bias I must admit." He tried to make her laugh, poking his tongue out at her for a moment behind a hand.

Sora laughed softly again, smiling genuinely for the first time that morning. "I appreciate your confidence in me, I honestly can't tell you that enough. But... where would you like to go? I'm not ready to go see who's home at the palace," she asked, looking at Sumaru fully now, still smiling.

"There's that smile, I'm glad you haven't lost it." He said returning a genuine smile of his own as he scanned the area with his skin vision, his smiling eyes still on Sora. "Well there was this one place... I think you might like it. We're almost there now; perhaps the walk will be nice, shall we?" He swiftly stood up first and offered the princess his hand just as the bus came up to the next stop, the palace was close by, but this is as far as the Sumaru adventured from during his short while here in Kyoto.

Sora nodded as she took Sumaru's hand as she rose from her seat, adjusting the purse on her shoulder with her other hand. "I'm up for getting my land legs back... it's weird walking in real gravity again. I've missed being on planet." She wondered where it was that they were going but she trusted Sumaru to not lead her astray... especially after all he had done to get back to her, as he had promised all those months ago when they parted. The warmth of his hand around hers made her suddenly remember the feel of his lips against hers on the day she left. A very light blush reappeared on her cheeks again and her smile became shy.

He guided her out of the bus, and then readjusted his two katana daishô to hang on his left side, still believing that the empire was in a time of peace, no matter how tentative it was. He questioned her blush internally, but showed no signs of it on his complexion. "I remember my first day here in Kyoto, I had spend so much time in space that for that whole day I wanted to do nothing but lay down... do you know what I did instead?" Sumaru asked raising a brow as he walked along with Sora in the sea of people, the rain coming down over his head made him pause in his steps and his eyes widen. The sensation of the cooling water falling down on him caused him to skip a breath; he was stunned in silence at the nostalgia of something so simple.

Sora paused as she looked up at the sky, letting the cold rain run the curve of her cheeks. She closed her eyes as she felt the rain's coolness take away some of the warmth from her blush, she enjoyed the foreign calm, wetness against her lips. She stood there in silence for a moment and enjoyed the rain running down her body, dampening her clothes and soaking her hair before she opened her eyes again and looked at Sumaru with a curious smile, "What did you end up doing instead?"

"I..." He wanted to say what happened, but the words left him there as he turned to gaze over at Sora for a moment, silently taking in this moment, her beauty and the rain were so perfect that he felt himself slowly being drawn to her... his lips a breath away from hers, his pulse quickening and the world around just blurred away into a song. But then, he caught himself his eyes flickered up to hers, a sudden questioning look searched her eyes for an answer.

Sora blinked in suprise as she found Sumaru's lips so close to hers again. It felt so right to just... she caught herself and pursed her lips together as she just stared back into those loving, questioning eyes. "Hmm?" She asked shyly, before she let her eyes look away again as she suddenly felt guilty despite having done nothing wrong.

He gingerly turned her face towards his with a curled finger under her chin; he moved closer and kissed her. This was just too, perfect; the once young Yamataian could not pass up this opportunity as now he was her knight, just as he promised. The kiss was chivalrous one, he did not give way to his passions and lose himself to the moment, but he did give away to the bewitching spell that fell upon them from the heavens; the soft summer’s rain.

Sora was slightly taken back by the sudden and gentleness of the kiss, she remembered the warmth from before. She desperately wanted to feel like she wasn't alone, that she was still loved but.. she suddenly felt very conscious of their surroundings. She softly returned the kiss before she pulled back away. "Sumaru," she said very softly, she felt conflicted again by his kindness, his love. What am I doing? She wondered as she continued to blush as she regained her composure. "We should move along so we don't block the path for anyone trying to get by."

The way his name came off her lips, made his heart skip a beat, he lowered his head and touched foreheads with her, smiling kindly as he listened intently to the next words. His cheeks reddened a bit, for the first time since his body change, his eyes shifted to look up and around as he cleared his throat and stepped aside in a low bow. "Y-yes, Sora-sama." He said very professionally as he forced back his composure.

A few old ladies that stood to watch the couple passed by now as the two moved away from he middle of the sidewalk, the pair of Yamataian women were giggling as they began gossiping about the good old days.

Sumaru felt even more embarrassed right now, but kept a steady hold of his emotions. He waited a moment then stood straight again, "the place I wish to show you Hime-sama is around this way…" He said as he placed a hand in his robe to rest and the other on top of his katana’s hilt as he returned to leading Sora to the surprise location.

Sora followed along after Sumaru, lightly touching her hand to her lips as she walked. She watched the way he now carried himself curiously, still amazed at how much he had changed. It made her feel out of touch with her own goals and dreams, she was proud of him and slightly disappointed in herself.




PAUSE

UNPAUSE




Sumaru led her around the corner where there was a small shop, there was a quaint little sign hanging out in front over the store window it displayed the word 'Paper' in a delicate black font on a wooden book. He watched Sora's face closely, as he pulled the shop door open for her. "We're here, Hime." Sumaru announced as he smiled at her happily.
Sora looked at the sign of the store appraisingly. "A stationary store?" She asked inquisitively, pushing increasing dampening strands of her hair out of her face before she entered the welcoming dryness of the shop. Her eyes scanned the inside of the store curiously, trying to take everything in.

He shook his head and followed her into the bookstore, floor to ceiling there were rows on rows of books that towered upwards on large shelves that had ladders attached so one could climb up to the higher up books. The air was dusty, and smelled of the distinct odour that aged tomes and weathered stories gave off.

An older Geshrin gentleman behind the counter flipped another page in silence before looking up at the two over a pair of gold framed spectacles. "Ah, Suma-kun," the man seemed pleased to see the young Samurai as he even set down his book and came around the counter to see Sumaru, "and my my, who is this fine young lady you're defending today?" He craned his neck out and adjusted his glasses as he took a moment to appraise Sora's face.

Sora walked up to the closest shelf and leaned in to look at the titles as a bright smile started to spread across her face. "Oh! I didn't know there was one of these shops so close to the palace! I usually order all my books... I've never seen so many in one place before!" She walked from bookcase to bookcase looking at titles. She was seemingly oblivious for a few moments to Sumaru and the shopkeeper's conversation.

"She's just a girl who looked like she could use protecting, that's all Shin-san." Sumaru said with a sort, loving smile as he let Sora's wish for a moment of some form of normality take flight in between the walls of the tiny book store. The old man tilted his head slightly, and gazed over the boy’s features.

The older gentleman slowly came to a nod then started back towards his wooden counter to return to his reading. "Suma-kun, a woman's heart is a delicate thing. Protect it with not only your blade, but your own heart as well..." Shin-san, as Sumaru referred to him, took his seat and lifted the book he was reading. "Tell the Princess that she may take what she likes." He whispered to the samurai then chucked as he flipped another page. Sumaru was stunned for a moment, and curiously eyed the enigmatic old man in a mute shock, but instead of thinking about it too long he simply bowed his head in silent thanks and turned to follow Sora.

Sora continued looking at the titles before she paused her browsing to face Sumaru. "Thank you for showing me this place, Sumaru-kun! I've wanted a few more books to take with me on the next mission. Do you think that they have starship sensor manuals somewhere... wait... no... the Himiko class is still in testing... they wouldn't have anything here on it, would they?”

Sumaru laughed slightly and shook his head. "I highly doubt they have any sort of military manuals here, but I'm sure you could find another book or two that you could adapt into another play." Sumaru said as he reached over her shoulder to grab at a book randomly, he pulled out a large dusty copy of Cinderella and looked over the title with a raised brow. "To tell you the truth, I think the owner only carries antique books." Sumaru said still curiously looking over the ornate tome.

Sora smiled again, "Possibly. It's been a while since I've arranged one. The last thing I did was a field triage exercise I based from the Dark Ones Castle mission that destroyed the Sakura... and a little from when we entered Eve's stronghold," she pursued her lips together with a slight frown, those memories were not pleasant for her but her mind wandered back to that time often. Her eyes went to Sumaru's face again and she smiled softly again. "I'd just be happy with something new to read...I just don't know what I'm looking for but indecisiveness seems to be following me today."

"Well the gentleman behind the counter was nice enough to tell me that you may take whatever books you'd like... so take more than one if you can't decide." Sumaru said returning her smile and then placing the book he had in his hands back on the shelf. Then her words sunk into his head a little, he chucked faintly as he realized thought she may have not meant it, he was another of those indecisive things following her around. He didn't think much of it, but found it a little humorous at least.

Sora looked a little surprised by this, "Really? That's really sweet of him. I have to make sure that what I chose is really good then so I can better appreciate the gift," she commented with an embarrassed smile. She looked back to the shelf and a couple of titles did catch her eye. The Star of Ascendancy? She pulled the dark blue book from the shelf and opened it randomly to a page. Her eyes were attracted to a couple sentences that read, "Every day she was with him, protecting him, she was filled with so much love that it over flowed into everything she did. But she said nothing, she was too afraid that he would turn from her and force her away... she knew he didn't see her as anything more than a guard but she couldn't help her feelings...."

Sumaru nodded and watched her curiously as she pulled out the book, and listened intently as she began to read over the page. His eyes widened in a small flicker of thought, but the show of surprise was quickly hidden. He felt the words relate sentence by sentence to his own life, as if he was the guard of which was in the tale, only he was not female. He inched forward to gaze down over the pages as well, scanning for the next passage. "I-It seems like an interesting book, Sora-chan." He said in a faint whisper trying hard to hide his astonishment.

The next passage in the book went on about how she watched the way her master interacted with another woman in their party and how she wasn't considered a woman despite her true gender. Sora smiled again, "Yeah, it looks really interesting. I think I want to pick this one up. I'm curious to see how they got to that point." She closed the book again and looked up to the bookshelf; her eyes came to rest on a dark brown book called, Kenbu: The Sword Dance. "This one looks neat too; I'm guessing it's either an action story or a romance. Which do you think it is?" She pointed to the other book on the shelf and pulled it down, setting it on top of the book in her hands.

A slight sigh escaped his lips as he felt even more empathy for this protagonist. Then his eyes fell on the new book, and he smiled at the site of the title. "Ah, I've read the start to that one actually. It's an adventure filled story about two friends who grow up in the same village, one becomes a soldier and the other stays behind to help his father's business. Little do you know that the business is a Yakuza family. They both become great swordsmen, and well I can only presume they meet in battle at the end. It looked like it was building up to be quite an epic." He said with a sagely nod.

"Ah ok. I think I'll give it a try, it'll be nice to read action rather than live it... but we can only hope for some peace for a little while," Sora smiled again as she held the books carefully in her arms. "I definitely want to come back here again on another trip. Since it's raining, most other sight-seeing in the city is going to be limited... I don't really think we need to visit the Sakura museum... we were there." She lightly tapped her lips with one of her fingers as she tried to figure out where it was that she wanted to go. "It might be idea to get out of these clothes..."

"I'm only permitted to wear this uniform unless we're in a private setting, or when I'm in the palace." Sumaru mentioned as he rubbed the back of his head kind of nervously. But luckily he had a second in his bags that would be still waiting for them at the shuttle port, that and rain was easy to wash out. "Here let me take these books to the counter so they can be packaged to keep from being damaged, and you can think of where you'd like to go Sora-chan." Sumaru then slipped the books out of the red haired Ketsurui's arms and held them safely in one of his arms.

Sora tilted her head looking at Sumaru curiously as he took the books from her. "Thank you, Sumaru. I think... I would like to go swimming. Maybe we should check into a hotel with an indoor pool? It'd be nice for a little while, but I think I need to get a swimsuit first."




END

ON: Kyoto, Hotel.




Sora toyed with the edge of her robe as she walked with Sumaru to the hotel pool. She felt extremely awkward in her new swimsuit and was grateful to have her body temporarily hidden away by the robe. She smiled, despite herself, as she looked at Sumaru. "This should be fun. I haven't gone swimming since I joined the Star Army, I'm looking forward to getting a chance to splash around for a little while before heading back to the ship," she commented as she took a moment to glance around the lush corridor of the hotel that led to the hotel's indoor pool.

Sumaru was quietly walking beside her, his hands folded into his baggy sleeves. "Oh really, well I'll just have to find a nice seat to join you from." Sumaru chucked a little, as he took a few steps ahead of the Ketsurui princess to open the door for her. He found the decorations to be quite intricate, the red and gold hues of the five-star hotel were something he had not quite found himself accustom to. But he understood the feeling they meant to set out with it.

"You should put on a suit and come swimming with me!" Sora grinned as she nodded and walked through the doors towards an empty pool chair. She nervously dropped her bath robe to reveal a dark green halter top bikini with a low rise tie side tanga bikini bottom. She pulled her hair back up into a ponytail before hurriedly jumping into the warm pool water with a loud splash.

"If only I could, I'm only permitted to wear this uniform unless we're in a private setting, or when I'm in the palace..." He trailed off as he watched her for a moment, slipping out of her robe, then noticing his own gaze, he quickly casted his faded blue eyes away, blushing slightly at his stray thoughts. "I suppose, if you’re telling me I should, then I can’t refuse the words of a Princess, now can I?" He smirked slightly and looked from one side of the seemingly private pool to the other. "I only have my boxers, but I’m sure they will suffice." Sumaru said to himself as he quickly stripped himself of his clothes, and folded them neatly on the pool chair beside Sora's, then swiftly stepped to the pool with little to no sound, then slipped under the water silently; he even went as far as using his skin stealth, to sneak up on Sora before she'd notice him.

Sora swam to the other side of the pool before she resurfaced, glancing around for Sumaru as she wiped water from her eyes. "Sumaru-kun?" She grinned when she noticed that Sumaru was absent. Maybe he went to change? She let herself sink into the water again with a luxurious sigh. "This feels great."

Surprised at how long he could manage under water with his new body Sumaru waited until the opportune time to slowly come back to the surface. Then when she'd least expect it, he'd grab at her sides with two fingers of each hand, to tickle her and catch her off guard more than anything really, surfacing suddenly from behind with no signs or warning. His skin stealth and silence were now forsaken with the unpredictable burst of playfulness.

The opportune time wasn't long before she let out a surprised squeak as she was tickled, she turned to face whomever was poking at her with a light blush on her cheeks. "Hey!"

She'd turn around to see a goofy grin on Sumaru's face, as he floated backwards, slightly pleased with his deeds. "Yes, Hime?" His tone was more playful now as he loosened up, letting go of a bit of his formality that he had been carrying all day.

Sora stuck her tongue out at Sumaru as he floated away. "Please, call me Sora... regular person, swimming in a pool, you know? Just like any other guest at the hotel, I'd like to think that despite the change... we're still friends so there isn't really a need to be so formal."

He laughed a little, and smiled at her genuinely just pausing there in one spot. "Well, it's a little hard you see... Sora-chan, I grew up in a household of two sisters who told me that the only one I was allowed to address without some sort of adage to their name, besides them and my mom; was my lover." Sumaru laid back in the water, allowing his body to freely float as a dreamy haze came over his thoughts. "Then there was all the etiquette training with the Samurai, which taught me if I did not receive tea correctly, I would lose a limb..." He said grimly, and almost seriously, if not for another small little chuckle escaping his lips a moment later.

"But, if you are following my orders, then I can order you to call me by my first name regardless, right? My grandma isn’t here nor is my aunts, between us, its okay." The young Ketsurui argued as she supported herself against the pool's wall. "I'd rather be 'Sora' than 'hime' any day."

"Well yes, of course. You could order me to do anything, really." Sumaru responded with a blink as he effortlessly motioned back to float straight up in the water. "If that is your wish," He said with a slow nod, his wet practically colorless bangs fell in front of his face just enough to hide his blush as he struggled with the next words, "then it is my command, Sora..." Here was a small pause, as if he was going to add something, but left it as is. Finding himself a little embarrassed, he placed a hand over his eyes and sank up to his neck in the water.




PAUSE

Sora was unsure of what to really make of Sumaru any more. She was still very unaccustomed to having someone follow her personal orders, she supposed, that as an officer, it'd be good practice. She let out a soft laugh, It's funny how much I tried to avoid this and now... here I am. Nothing is ever easy... and now Sumaru is here and... Ichi.. isn't....

She outwardly smiled as she inwardly sighed. Is a man's fancy that fickle? I give him all my love, attention and affection and... I'm losing him. I can feel him slipping away. What should I do? He's the only man.. I've... She let herself sink a little further into the pool's warm water as she sat thinking beneath the surface, staring at the white tile sides of the pool imploringly.

Sumaru only hid his face for a moment longer before peeking back up curiously to see how the young red headed Ketsurui would be reacting to his bashful gesture, only now to see her under the pool's surface. "Sora, are you okay?" He asked in telepathy, a small hint of urgency on his mental voice. The male Neko slighted a little forward in his spot, waiting for her response but lessening gravity's hold on him in preparation to not receiving a response, after all, he was a little worried with her almost melancholic atmosphere today that something might be wrong that he wasn't made aware of. Ever since his return, Sora had been a sort of enigma to the blond haired samurai, leaving him unsure if she really was truly glad to have him by her side or not.

Sora heard Sumaru and finally decided to swim back up to the surface. She took a deep breath of air as she resurfaced, she took a moment to slick her hair back out of her eyes as she let herself float on the back. "I'm fine, just thinking is all," she replied with a soft smile. "So much has happened since I left the Plumeria, it's just... a lot to take in all at once. But I think I want to splash around here for another hour or so before catching a nap and then dinner and back to the ship."

She looked over at her blonde friend, still smiling as she gently sent a small splash of water in his direction. "You get to pick the place for dinner. I'm in the mood for just about anything fresh. Food on ship is always pretty good but there's nothing like fresh caught, or fresh fruit and veggies. Something... simple, I guess. Whatcha think?"

He leaned his head forward into the splash spray of water, chuckling a bit. "Well it doesn't get any fresher then shushi, and I know there's more than one place nearby, we're in the capitol after all." Sumaru said as he looked back up at the smiling Princess, offering her a more docile smile of his own, his concern for her still playing over his much calmer emotions.

He let out a long sigh and casted his eyes upwards, a dreaming sort of look overcame his facial expressions for a moment as he introverted over just all the changes since his first placement on the Plumeria. "It's so funny, even though it's hardly been over a year now since my service on that ship, there's been so much that's happened. I remember on the Asamoya, I was badly wounded, I didn't think I'd ever make it through... the only thing that kept me going, was the thought of getting here to you." He chuckled a bit more, still staring up though the windowed ceiling up above to the gray skies looming over the city, finding his situation a little amusing, realizing now what everyone else thought, that he was more then likely as love sick as they said he was. He was fine with it though, Sumaru had come to terms with his situation, he planned on protecting her and being here for her and thus he was, he could live happily for the rest of his days like this. The daydreaming samurai just kinda dazed off for a moment, getting slightly lost in thought.

Sora blushed at Sumaru's admission but it didn't make her feel any less conflicted. "Sushi sounds good," she replied calmly. She stared down at the water again unsure of how to respond to the rest of what Sumaru had said.

But what am I to you really? She thought imploringly to herself. Am I a trophy to be won? Am I just a bird destined to be trapped within a well-meaning, gilded cage? She smiled at her reflection as she bottled up her questions. What happens when... I don't live up to these expectations?

She looked back up at Sumaru and smiled sweetly. "Did you have anything that you wanted to do here after dinner.. before we go back? The city by night is quite pretty if you wanted to do some sightseeing. I think the Imperial Gardens has a nice view of the sky. It's nice to be able to look up at the stars and still be filled with a sense of wonder even though we live and work among them."

If only those words escaped her lips, if only he could hear those questions. Sumaru would tell her so many things, not just in his own defence, but he'd tell her that he didn't care where life would take her; he just wanted to be there... with her. Sumaru wanted nothing more then to be always by her side, to make sure her dreams could be realized, no matter her decision. He wanted her to know that he'd protect her all the way to making them come true. Yes, Sumaru was a strange sort, he was barely eighteen and yet he willingly and gladly chose this life, it was obvious he wanted to be her protector, but he wasn't sure that it was just as obvious that he wasn't doing it to take her as a prize or to win her heart over.

Sure he was in love with her, he knew it too. But he told himself while he was training that he would express his love as a pure devotion to her and her ideals, as her sword and as her friend.

As the young samurai slowly came back to reality, letting his thoughts float away from his mind and ripple away like the blue surface of the pool around them. He shook his head lightly before responding to her suggestion. "No, not really; I took care of everything I needed to do last night." He paused to drift a little closer towards her and the edge of the pool. "I think that's a wonderful idea. After all, it's been ages since I've seen the stars from planetside." Sumaru nodded and politely returned her smile.

After a time, Sora ran out of ideas of what to say and simply just swam in the pool, lost in thought until she decided that it was time to climb out and wrap a towel around herself.

She stretched with a light yawn before she looked at Sumaru with a smile and a nod. "I'm ready to hit the showers and get on with the rest of the day. Unless you want some more time to swim, in which case, I can go hit the showers for a few minutes... unless you intend to shower with me."